Ohio State is now 4-0 after a dominant 38-7 win over Michigan State in East Lansing on Saturday. The Buckeyes will now shift their focus to their upcoming home game against Iowa this weekend.
While much of the attention is on the current Buckeyes team, Ohio State continues to make waves in recruiting. Head coach Ryan Day and his staff are constantly active on the recruiting trail, leading to frequent headlines.
On Monday, Ohio State learned that a couple of key targets for the 2026 class will soon visit.
Four-star North Carolina DE commit Zavion Griffin-Haynes has four visits lined up beginning with a trip to Georgia this weekend and visits back to Florida State, Ohio State and Chapel Hill
More on the Rivals250 inside: https://t.co/HiSmutxAJr pic.twitter.com/O73hy4LKox
— Sam Spiegelman (@samspiegs) September 30, 2024
Ohio State to Host UNC Edge Commit
Ohio State has been pursuing four-star edge rusher Zavion Griffin-Haynes (Rolesville, NC) since the summer. He took an unofficial visit to Ohio State in August, which resulted in an official scholarship offer. Shortly after, Griffin-Haynes committed to his home state’s North Carolina program, a decision that surprised many Ohio State fans. Despite his commitment, the Buckeyes haven’t stopped recruiting him, and he has scheduled multiple visits, including one to Ohio State.
Griffin-Haynes is set to visit Ohio State on Nov. 23 when they host Indiana. This will be his third visit to Ohio State, with the final visit being to UNC, where he’s currently committed. The Buckeyes see Griffin-Haynes, ranked as the No. 11 edge rusher in the 2026 class, as a key target, especially as they prioritize defensive line prospects in this recruiting cycle.
Ohio State to Host In-State Safety This Weekend
In addition to future visits, Ohio State is hosting several recruits this weekend when they take on Iowa. One notable visitor is 2026 three-star safety Kaden Gebhardt from Olentangy High School in Lewis Center, Ohio. Gebhardt’s recruitment has gained significant traction this season, with offers from schools like Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan State, and others.
I will be at The Ohio State University this weekend for a gameday visit!! @Kstaff07 @MattGuerrieri @jchorba16 @CoachJimKnowles @bzdebski @OHSBravesFB @Bill_Kurelic @MattParkerLR @markpantoni @mickdwalker @alexgleitman pic.twitter.com/SQJpi0W9pO
— Kaden Gebhardt 4⭐️ S/ATH (@kaden_gebhardt) September 30, 2024
Ohio State has made it a point to prioritize in-state talent in recent years, and Gebhardt is no exception. This weekend’s visit will be his third to Ohio State, and if it goes well, the Buckeyes could emerge as the favorites in his recruitment, although Penn State is also heavily involved.
Gebhardt is currently ranked as the No. 41 safety in the 247Sports Composite Rankings, though his stock is rising, and he could climb even higher in the rankings as the 2026 class evaluations continue.